After they finished their meal, Mav and Lia said their goodbyes. Before leaving, Mav handed them a health potion—just in case something happened. He also told Marie to visit Ana's shop if she ever needed to get in touch with him again. Along with that, he left them some money, reminding them to be discreet about it, though he knew they already understood the need for caution, given the dangers of living in the slums. He then suggested to Max that he join the Blue Flame Guild, explaining that it would provide extra income, lighten his sister's burden, and offer additional protection. With the guild's backing, the three human traffickers who had been troubling them would likely back off, fearful of the guild's retaliation.

Max was eager to agree, almost before Mav finished his suggestion. Marie hesitated, her expression conflicted, but after some coaxing from both Mav and Lia, she finally relented. Mav planned to inform Ana about Max's situation when he asked her about the suspicious activities he'd encountered during his visits.

As for Mav's own plan, it required a few steps. First, he needed to hide the blue cape Ana had given him whenever he ventured into the slums—to not scare his targets off. Second, he needed to make a few solo trips, without Lia, to lower the traffickers' guards. Third, he needed to spread his name around, particularly his superior healing ability. And lastly, he needed to provoke the traffickers enough to make them act. All of this was relatively simple; he only needed to visit the slums a few times, showcase his skills, and let the rumors take care of the rest. That's why, this time, he didn’t ask the siblings to keep his healing abilities a secret. Instead, he told them to find more people in the slums who needed healing, promising he'd return in a few days to help them.

Despite these plans, Mav didn’t neglect leveling up his other skills. The attack in the forest still weighed heavily on him, a constant reminder that he wasn’t invincible. Fearing another ambush, he stuck to his training schedule, alternating between honing his three combat-related skills in Xiros Desert and improving his healing ability.

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"Buying people with Blue Flame affinities, you say?" Ana asked, raising an eyebrow.

After their first visit to the slums, Mav stopped by Ana's shop to report what had happened. He also mentioned his plan to help Max join the Blue Flame Guild.

"I’m not entirely sure what their goal is," Ana admitted. "Unless they’re planning to build some kind of hospital by collecting healers, but I doubt people like them would do anything that altruistic."

"I’ll report this to the guild leader, see if she knows anything. I’ll let you know if I hear something. As for Max, when we introduce you to the leader, we’ll bring him along. The guild will handle his lodgings and training. You said he doesn’t have parents anymore, right? Just get permission from his sister when you visit them again." She continued.

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Things were going smoothly for the first week. Mav’s skills were steadily leveling up as the days passed. He brought Lia with him during the initial visits to the slums to avoid suspicion from both the traffickers and Lia herself—who would surely report anything risky to Ana. One afternoon, on their way home, Lia suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing.

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"Someone’s been following us," she said quietly. "I’ve been using my Yellow Enhancement to boost my senses. They’ve been watching us for a while."

Mav felt a chill run down his spine, but he kept his expression neutral. "Let’s not confront them here. We don’t know what they’re capable of, and causing a scene will only put us at risk. Let’s wait and see what the guilds' decision will be."

Lia didn’t look convinced, but she nodded reluctantly. "Fine, but promise me you’ll avoid the slums for now. We don’t want to walk into a trap."

"Sure," Mav replied, though he had no intention of sticking to that promise. His plan was in motion, and everything was going as he expected.

Two days later, Mav returned to Ana’s shop to buy his usual supply of mana potions. He timed his visit carefully, arriving before Lia’s daily stop to avoid her. He was preparing to head to the slums alone, but his plans were abruptly halted when he saw a large, familiar carriage parked in front of the shop.

Inside the shop, seated by the counter and sipping tea, was Voithos, dressed in his usual elegant attire. Across from him, Adelfi was happily munching on Ana’s homemade cookies.

"What are they doing here?" Mav wondered. "Did something happen?"

The moment Adelfi spotted him, her eyes lit up. She dropped the cookie she was holding and charged toward him with the same reckless enthusiasm as before. This time, though, Mav was ready. He braced himself like a football player, catching her mid-leap and setting her back down in her chair.

"What are you two doing here?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything’s fine!" Adelfi chirped, beaming.

"Mav Rose," Voithos said, setting down his cup. "The King has requested your presence. You are to come with us to the castle."

Mav blinked, stunned. "The...King? Why does he want to see me?"

Adelfi grinned. "Papa called for you!"

Mav hesitated, feeling a growing sense of dread. "Do I really have to?"

"Yes," Voithos replied firmly. "Ignoring the King’s summons would be...unwise."

Mav glanced at Ana, silently pleading for help, but she quickly looked away. He let out an exaggerated cough, trying to get her attention again. When she finally met his gaze, her expression said it all: You're on your own.

He sighed, defeated, and turned back to Adelfi, who was watching him expectantly. "Alright, fine. But at least let me buy some potions before we go."

"Good," Voithos said, standing up. "I’ll prepare the carriage. Thank you for the tea, Ms. Ana."

Adelfi followed him but not before snatching another cookie. "We’ll be waiting outside, big bro!" she called, the bell chiming as the door closed behind her.

Mav turned to Ana, his nerves fraying. "Master, you have to help me. I’ve never been to the castle before! What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to act? I know! Can you come with me?"

Ana shook her head, handing him the two potions he’d requested. "I can’t go with you. Don’t worry, though. It’s not like the King will kill you for being awkward. Just be yourself."

"That’s not reassuring at all," Mav muttered, slipping the potions into his item box and paying for them.

Mav shifted uncomfortably, already imagining himself tripping over his words in front of the King. "So… what happens if I say something stupid?" he asked, a nervous grin tugging at his lips.

Ana smirked. "Well, let’s just say, try not to end up in the dungeon."

Mav took a step back, his face paling. "Wait… the dungeon?!"

Ana couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. "Relax, I’m just joking! You saved the King’s daughter, remember? He’s not going to treat you like some stranger. You’ve already seen how he acted after that—practically thanking you like a hero. You’ll be fine."

She waved him off with a smirk. "Now go on, don’t keep them waiting."

With a heavy sigh, Mav trudged toward the carriage, his shoulders slumped, dragging his feet, as if he was heading to detention, not a royal summons.